The Absent Minded

by Joe Zarrow

Boyd is stuck in his head. He can't concentrate on his drone-piloting work, on his relationships, or even on sex. When his wife Monica issues him an ultimatum to work on his mental health, Boyd turns to a mad scientist to give his brain a literal out-of-body experience. Will it be enough to save Boyd and Monica's marriage? A dark sci-fi comedy about the mind-body problem.

From Unicorn Theatre's Semifinalist...

Boyd is stuck in his head. He can't concentrate on his drone-piloting work, on his relationships, or even on sex. When his wife Monica issues him an ultimatum to work on his mental health, Boyd turns to a mad scientist to give his brain a literal out-of-body experience. Will it be enough to save Boyd and Monica's marriage? A dark sci-fi comedy about the mind-body problem.

From Unicorn Theatre's Semifinalist Rating for its In-Progress New Play Reading Series: "Our readers especially appreciated the exploration of the concept of isolation and how it affects one's relationships with others. They thought that the play asks us to consider how a sense of disconnect within the self affects our entire lives and whether embracing our internal chaos will help or make things even worse. Our readers enjoyed the script's magical realism feel and thought that it told an interesting, often melancholic story balanced with wit and absurdity."

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The Absent Minded

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Absent Minded

    A fascinating look at neurology and technology when a scientist is called upon to save Boyd's mind and marriage. Well done.

    A fascinating look at neurology and technology when a scientist is called upon to save Boyd's mind and marriage. Well done.

  • Unicorn Theatre: The Absent Minded

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE ABSENT MINDED.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE ABSENT MINDED.

Character Information

  • Boyd
    M, 30ish. Lapsed Catholic. Any ethnicity.
    Character Age
    30ish
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Monica
    F, 30ish. Jewish. Eastern European descent. Married to Boyd.
    Character Age
    30ish
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Eastern European descent
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Drone
    M, 30ish. A small, remote-operated, quadrotor aircraft. This
    actor also plays THE BODY of BOYD after his operation, but
    they don't have to look alike, be the same ethnicity, etc.
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Doctors Rameen
    F, 30ish. Muslim. Middle Eastern or African descent. Triplets
    who are Boyd's doctors throughout the play. From oldest to
    youngest, they are the oncologist (AMINAH), the mad
    neuroscientist (BEENISH), and the psychiatrist (KASHI). They
    are all played by the same actor.
    Character Age
    30ish
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Middle Eastern or African descent.
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Hollis
    M, 30ish. Any ethnicity. Boyd's friend and business partner.
    Crass, but just wants to be loved.
    Character Age
    30ish
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The New Colony, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Shattered Globe Theatre, Year 2015
  • Type Reading, Organization The Ruckus, Year 2014

Awards